Sunday, May 14, 2017

Red Grouse chicks


The heather moorland on Pikestone fell near Wolsingham in Weardale today was full of recently-hatched red grouse chicks.


When they are this small they have difficulty in running through the rough grass and forests of heather, so sometimes running across the top of the heather bushes is the easiest rout to safety.
















The chicks are well camouflaged but when they know they have been spotted they make a run for it ....





































.... and there is only one place they want to be ....



















.... and that's with their mother.
















This very protective hen bird has six chicks sheltering under her body and wings.



4 comments:

  1. Looks to be excellent camouflage markings. Guess they are hard to spot until they move.

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    Replies
    1. There is a lot of dead grass and dark brown heather stems on the moorland and they match those colours perfectly

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  2. Beautiful series! Thank you so much for sharing. :)

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